Scerior Part II

by Jilly Bowling

  Chapter 2

  As they moved further into the rocks and scrub Acorus put Jo down but kept her close in front of him. The tracks were numerous and well hidden, used by the indigenous Indians for hundreds of years before the white man had arrived in their lands. Then the outlaws, such as Kid Curry and Butch Cassidy had hidden there between robbing banks in neighbouring counties. It was a perfect place to hide away from the aliens, and Acorus mused about how many countries had areas like this, Russia, China and the middle eastern countries certainly had harsh lands that it was easy to hide in, and Australia had it’s secrets; the aborigines capable of becoming one with the land. Maybe there were still free humans there. How could he contact them?

  They were getting further and further away from his ship and he contemplated calling them in, but held off. Anything he could learn would make him understand the humans better. His only concern was Jo, if she was ever in danger he would call for help immediately but until then he would see how thing worked out. The first thing he must do, when given an opportunity was to let his second in command, his son Allorus, know that he was safe and what he was doing. Night would be the best time, so until then he would play along with the militia.

  Jo was grateful for her strong boots as the terrain was extremely rough; occasionally she would spot grouse, deer and wild turkey; big horn sheep watched them warily from high crags. Maybe their ancestors had watched Custer’s last stand, she mused, her imagination soaring. The history books she had read on Scerior had opened her mind to the beauty and heritage of her world. It must be saved at any cost.

  Eventually they came out into a small clearing and ahead of them was a craggy overhang, under which was an old cabin, invisible from above. All the men materialised out of the scrub from different directions, lowering their various packs to the ground.

  Josh opened the door of the cabin and to Jo’s surprise all the men entered, surely they couldn’t all fit inside?

  “Come on in” Josh grinned and Acorus led the way.

  Jo followed them and looked around in amazement. The small door opened into a large well equipped kitchen, sitting and dining areas. Beyond that, through an open door, the cabin seemed to go on and on, a natural cave had been made into a comfortable barracks.

  More men appeared from the back of the cave until Jo and Acorus were surrounded. There were many questions, about who they were and where they had come from. Josh was also questioned about what he and his men had found while they were away from camp. Acorus questioned them in return, asking how many they were, how they came to be there, and finally why there were no guards on duty? Josh and his group had walked in unnoticed.

  One of the men said “You ask a lot of questions. Think you’re a soldier do you?”

  Before Acorus could reply Josh gestured for him to go outside with him. No one was on guard duty as far as Acorus could see, until Josh gave a whistle, and on every crag a man appeared and whistles sounded through the scrub for miles.

  “We copy the old Indian tricks, the men on duty stay hidden and observe the trail into here. We are soldiers Adam, of course we have guards”.

  Acorus turned to him and slapped him on his shoulder, “I apologise, I should have realised how organised you are. This is an amazing place”.

  As they re-entered the cabin Josh went on “This place has hidden people for centuries, right back to the stone age. The Indians used it, there are fabulous cave drawings further into the caves. My great grandfather rode with Kid curry and the Wild bunch and they used this place too. It didn’t look as it does now of course, we’ve put a lot of work into it and now it’s a safe base. The only problem we have is that no women have joined us. We’ve searched far and wide, as far as Broadus, found dead men, but no women, alive or dead. The aliens seem to take them”.

  Acorus frowned and looked at Jo, the Sceriae hadn’t rescued women from this area, it had to be the Xenorii. God help the ones who lived, Jo thought, her eyes filling with tears.

  In the Kitchen food was cooking and all the men, just naturally were doing whatever needed to be done.

  “Right fella,” Josh said “let’s find the little lady somewhere to sleep. The sleeping quarters are more basic than the kitchen but we have bunks and warm bedding. We have makeshift showers, cold water I’m afraid, and the latrines are away from the cabin; we move them and fill them in every couple of weeks”.

  “You’re very well organised”. Acorus was impressed.

  “That sure is a funny accent you have, where exactly are you from?”

  Doing some quick thinking Jo said “We’re British, I’m from London and Adam is from Ireland. He was in the British army, Royal marines. When the aliens attacked we were on honeymoon, touring the old west”.

  “Ah that explains it. Royal marines, they’re good, I worked with them in Afghan. Good soldiers”.

  Before Acorus could reply a gong sounded and one of the men in the kitchen yelled “Grub’s up”.

  The men formed into a line, each with a dish in their hand and waited patiently until it was their turn. “Ladies first,” one of them shouted, and Jo found herself pushed to the front of the queue. A dish was put in her hand and some kind of stew was put into it. Then she was led to the head of a giant table and her chair was pulled out for her. Acorus didn’t try to follow her, joining the men in line.

  “Dig in,” Jo was told, so for the first time in ten years she ate meat. She had thought that it would make her gag, but it was delicious, full of vegetables, wild garlic and herbs. When the seats around the table were full, the men sat in the sitting area, on the floor and on the kitchen work tops.

  The men around her offered her crusty flat bread, salt and pepper or a drink, obviously thrilled to have a woman to talk to. Some openly flirted with her, which caused Acorus, who was sitting on a tall stool, to scowl. Jo tried to deter the more openly flirtatious, but she was enjoying being the centre of attention, after the way she had been left feeling by Acorus lately. She knew he would take her to task later, but it was a joy to banter with men. She hadn’t flirted with anyone for over ten years.

  Noticing that she was yawning and looking extremely weary, Acorus asked Josh where she could sleep, as they’d been interrupted by the dinner gong before Josh could show them.

  “I thought I’d give her my bunk, it’s in a room like a cupboard, but at least she’ll be private. Afraid you’ll have to bunk in with the men. I’m sure you understand”.

  Acorus understood completely, it didn’t do moral any good if only one man had a woman to sleep with, wife or not. “Of course, as long as she’ll be safe, I’m happy”.

  Going to Jo he told her the arrangements, and she nodded with understanding. Getting up she said goodnight to all the men, and followed Josh and Acorus to the tiny area that had been the sergeant’s. As Josh left Acorus pulled her into his arms and whispered in her ear.

  “I’m going out, supposedly to the latrines, and I’ll call Allorus, who’s in charge if I’m unavailable, he’ll be able to keep an eye on us. I think that these humans are very decent, but after speaking to them, I worry that the Xenorii are sneaking around lands which we thought we’d secured from them”.

  “Yes it’s strange that there are live and dead men about but no women at all, apart from those in Jake’s camp”.

  “Unfortunately we know how the Xenorii like human females. Where they could have taken them from here is a mystery, I thought we’d got the whole of North America secured. Try and sleep, I’ll look in on you throughout the night. If you’re worried about anything scream, I’ll hear you”.

  As he kissed her gently, Jo closed her eyes and leant close to him “Be careful, I don’t know how I’d go on without you,” she whispered as he lifted his mouth from her’s.

  As he turned to leave there was a knock on the door. When he opened it, Josh was standing there. “Thought your wife m
ight like something to sleep in. I noticed you didn’t have any luggage so I’ve brought her a large tee shirt to sleep in. It’s clean, we boil all our clothes, so she needn’t worry about wearing a stranger’s clothes”.

  “That’s so thoughtful of you, thank you”. Jo took it and held it against herself. It was very large, and came down to her knees. “Perfect,” she said.

  “Next time we go out we’ll search for some women’s clothes for you. Anyhow, goodnight, hope you sleep OK.

  Acorus turned to Jo and told her he’d be close by if she was frightened, then he followed Josh out of the room.

  “We need to talk, Adam, before you bed down”.

  “Yes, good. Just need to visit the latrines, then we’ll talk, OK?”

  “Fine there’s a line between the cabin and the latrines, don’t fall down them! We don’t have a light showing at night as we don’t know who is above us. I’ve just got to take reports off the last watch, then I’ll join you”. Josh turned back to the kitchen where the men who had been on duty were eating their supper. They had each been relieved by another man, who would stand guard for four hours, then be relieved in turn.

  Acorus made his way through the cabin, where some of the men who had just come in regarded him coldly.

  “He’s a bloody big bugger,” one of them said.

  “British, Royal marine, I wouldn’t mess with him,” another said.

  “Lucky bastard’s got a cracking bit of pussy,” one of the cooks told them, and was told to watch his language by Josh.

  Acorus ignored all the talk, soldier’s talk, the same the universe over. At the entrance to the cabin heavy dark cloth had been hung in front of the door, and he pushed through it, then pulled it close behind him before he opened the door. Stepping outside and shutting it behind him, he was impressed that not a strip of light showed. The only light was by the stars and moon, so among the scrub it was very dark. He found the line attached to the side of the cabin and followed it towards the latrines. Aware that some of the sentries might have night vision goggles he squatted over one of the holes, cut out of a large piece of wood, as if he was using it and raised the communicator to his throat.

  As soon as he softly said “General Acorus here” a voice greeted him just as softly in Sceria.

  “Father, sir, we have been very concerned. What is your position, are you safe, do you need help?” Allorus was obviously very pleased to hear from his father, the responsibility that had fallen on his shoulders, since Acorus had disappeared, had shown him what a weight of responsibilities his father had been carrying for a long time.

  “Jo and I have fallen in with the Montana militia, they seem to be good men, but I will leave my locator beacon on, from now, so you know that we are still safe. I’m finding out a lot that we had not known so don’t want to give myself away, but if my beacon disappears come and get us. Be cautious, these men are soldiers and heavily armed, they can’t differentiate between the Xenorii and us. As far as they are concerned we are aliens who have attacked their planet, they’ll fight to the death. Be warned I don’t want them killed. Are you coping OK?”

  “Yes sir, your senior officers are advising me well. This is why I haven’t scoured the area looking for you, they told me you’d be alright. We’ll be standing by for your orders, sir”.

  “Good, well done, I’ll try and speak again another night. I’m proud of you son”. Acorus put the communicator in his pocket and straightened up. High in the sky, nearly beyond the atmosphere a light blinked, and he smiled, his ship was watching over them.

  Back at the cabin Josh had debriefed the sentries and the men were lounging around, playing cards, reading or just talking among themselves, mainly about women, baseball or American football. As Acorus entered Josh waved him over.

  “Right Adam, let’s find somewhere to have a debrief”.

  They found a corner and Josh queried him about where they were when the aliens attacked Earth and how they had escaped them. Acorus made up a believable story, stressing his fighting background and experience. He said that they had been tracking game and camping out as part of their honeymoon, when the world started to blow up. Realising that this was an alien, not human attack, they had kept away from towns and groups of people. Then when the second lot of aliens had arrived they had still avoided them. They’d been in the big sheep canyon when they’d lost their pack, which contained camping equipment and clothes. `Jacki` had slipped and he could save her or their pack, so it was lost.

  Josh listened carefully, occasionally asking a question. When he started to ask about `Adam’s` time in the marines, it became risky for him. Grateful that he had studied the different armed forces of Earth, he managed to avoid falling into any traps, that Josh set him. When asked about his and `Jacki’s` wedding he made it a simple registry office do as they had no family on either side.

  “She’s quite a girl, camping on her honeymoon, not many women would be happy with that”. Josh said looking quizzically at Acorus.

  “She is, she’s clever, adventurous and brave”. Acorus replied, happy to be able to tell the truth at last.

  “Well that’s that then, time to turn in, I’ll show you to your bunk”. Josh stood up and Acorus saw that most of the men had already retired. Once he had been shown his bunk in the large cave where most of the men slept, he quietly went back to Jo’s little room and opening the door looked in. She was fast asleep so he went back to his bunk, and settled down for the night.

  ***

  Early the next morning the men were up and about preparing to go out on patrol and Acorus was keen to join them. As he ate breakfast with them he felt as if he was getting to know human males, at long last; the men here were different to the presidents and premiers he had met so far. He realised that he was at fault, instead of meeting only with world leaders he should have gone out among all humans everywhere.

  When he told Josh that he’d like to go out with a patrol he objected at first, saying that he would have to obey the patrol leader’s orders immediately even if he thought he knew better. Acorus assured him that he knew how to obey orders and as long as `Jacki` was safe he’d do whatever he was ordered to do.

  Eventually Josh agreed that he could go and that he would stay behind to look after `Jacki`.

  Looking hard into Josh’s eyes Acorus said “I’ll trust your word to keep her safe, however let me just say that if any one hurts or even frightens her, I will tear them limb from limb!”

  “Understood Adam. I give you my word that she will be safe”.

  Acorus held out his hand and Josh shook it, then he joined the patrol that he had been assigned to. The men dispersed, some going to relieve the sentries and others slipping away one by one into the scrub. Following the leader of his patrol, Acorus kept his eyes and ears open, if the Xenorii were evading his patrols, maybe ground patrols would eventually catch them. He’d wracked his brain overnight trying to work out where they were hiding. His communicator vibrated gently against his leg and he looked up into the sky but saw nothing. Good, his ship was watching him from outside the atmosphere.

  They trekked for about five miles before coming upon another clearing covered in camouflage nets. Under the nets were camouflaged army vehicles. That answers one question, he thought, this is how they cover a lot of ground, and keeping it away from camp doesn’t give them away if the vehicles are spotted. The patrol piled into two armoured, well defended carriers and they set off slowly. As well as its camouflage paint the trucks had nets covered in scrub over them. Acorus knew that they would be nearly impossible to see from one of his ships passing over, so the Xenorii had very little chance of finding them.

  In the next eight hours they came upon deserted farms and a couple of small hamlets, but no sign of life at all. Everywhere they stopped they collected anything they might need in the future, tools, dried and tinned foods, clothes and even old
weapons. When they came upon dead bodies they buried them, with a few words of prayer but no marker. Many of the bodies had been there for months and were reduced to skeletons by the local wildlife.

  At each place Acorus had a good scout about for signs of the Xenorii, and he found plenty becoming even more perplexed. How had they missed them? Which other countries, that he had thought were safe, were being pillaged by the Xenorii? Where was their base in the northern hemisphere? He must get back to Jo and call his ship, but how could he avoid a fight with these humans, who he was beginning to admire a lot.

  As they made their way back to their base, the men were ribbing `Adam` about getting back to his new wife. He laughed and joked with them knowing how lucky he was. These men had lost their wives and girlfriends, didn’t even know whether they were alive or dead, and if alive, what was happening to them. If he did nothing else, he was determined to rid Earth of the corruption of the Xenorii, but he needed the help of these human soldiers and any others who had banded together to fight.

  Chapter 3

  Jo had slept well and awoke, feeling refreshed, to a knock on the door. When she opened it she was surprised to find a dozen men standing outside; the one who had knocked had a bundle of fatigues in his hand, and he held them out towards Jo.

  “Excuse us ma’am but we thought you’d be glad to have clean clothes. The trousers have been cut down and the tee is the smallest we’ve got. If you want a shower we’ll fill the barrel for you. Totally private, we’ll make sure of that, then we can wash your own stuff”.

  Jo smiled at him “That is so kind of you. I’d love a shower and clean clothes, thank you”.